CIDA International Youth Internship Program (IYIP)

http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/acdi-cida/psij-iyip.nsf/Eng/MEL-39144628-R7L

INTERNSHIP IN ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM (IAP) UPDATE

August 2 1011

Over the past several years a national task force, established by the Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities (CALA) composed of all eleven Provincial/Territorial architectural regulators, has been reviewing the IAP examining ways to improve and streamline the Program.
 

The national task force has concluded its work and tabled recommendations for change which have been approved by the majority of the Provincial/Territorial architectural regulators. We are awaiting the remaining regulators’ responses so that changes can move forward uniformly across Canada.

Primary changes are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2012

- Reduction of the total length of the required experience from 5600 hours (3 years) to 3720 hours (2
years).
- Elimination of Discretionary Experience (1880 hours).
- Credit will not be granted for experience gained while a student at a school of architecture as a result of the reduction of the total length of the required experience and the elimination of Discretionary Experience.
(This change does not affect individuals in the Syllabus program.)

Other Important Facts

- As of January 1, 2012, newly appointed/enrolled Interns will automatically be entered into the revised Program.
- Current Interns will be given the opportunity to stay within the current Program until June 30, 2012 or transfer into the revised Program at any time during the transition period. The current Program will
cease to exist on June 30, 2012.
- All recorded experience approved by the regulators prior to January 1, 2012 will be preserved and no individual will be disadvantaged when the changes are implemented. Those Interns who wish to maintain eligibility for reciprocity with the USA may continue to record and submit the required 5600 hours of experience.

Recommendation Currently Under Discussion

- Credit will be granted only for experience gained while enrolled as an Intern in the IAP or with a reciprocal jurisdiction.
Note: For the purposes of the IAP the term ‘Intern’ will be used to mean, Intern Architect, Intern in Manitoba or Stagiaire en architecture in Québec.

Questions

Any questions should be directed to your respective Provincial/Territorial architectural regulator.

 An Overview

Historically, most architects were trained by Mentors. A daily working relationship allowed the experienced practitioner – the “Mentor” – to transfer knowledge and skills to the apprentice – the “Intern”. However, such a sustained learning environment became less attainable as architectural practice grew more complex. Under the ever increasing pressure of the present architectural practice environment, the relationship between the practitioner and the apprentice has often changed to one of employer and employee. The practitioner has less time, energy or commitment to contribute to the Intern’s learning experience in the office. A structured transition between formal education and architectural registration/licensure – the Internship in Architecture Program (IAP) – was created to provide Interns with the necessary learning environment at a time when there are increasing demands to meet the expanding requirements of architectural practice.

The Internship in Architecture Program is a profession-wide, comprehensive program administered by the provincial associations of architects. The Program contributes to the development of architects who can provide high quality architectural services. A comprehensive internship program is necessary to acquire and reinforce the knowledge, integrity, judgment, skills, discipline and quest for learning that must serve the architect for a lifetime.

The objectives of the Program are:
1. to define areas of architectural practice in which Interns must acquire basic knowledge and skills;
2. to encourage additional experience in the broad aspects of architectural practice;
3. to provide the highest quality information and advice about educational, internship and professional issues and opportunities;
4. to provide a uniform system for documentation and periodic assessment of internship activities;
5. to provide greater access to, and recognition of, supplementary educational opportunities designed to complement work experience, and or experience;
6. to involve the members of the profession in the development and training of future members.

 Architectural Registration/Licensure and IAP

Regulation of the profession of architecture, including the registration/licensing of architects, is the responsibility of each province. All ten provinces have established self-regulating associations to govern the profession of architecture and to establish registration/licensing requirements.

There is a general agreement on the standards for admission to the architectural profession in Canada. All provincial associations have adopted Common Admission Standards, regarding Education, Experience and Examination. Such standards facilitate reciprocal registration/licensing from province to province under the Reciprocity Agreement, January 1, 1999.

These standards include:
• Standard certification of education requirements
• Standard pre-registration experience requirements
• Standard architectural registration examination.
 

 Education Requirements

The provincial associations have complete agreement on the education
requirements as detailed in the Conditions and Procedures for Accreditation of
university schools of architecture and in the Canadian Education Standard. The
accreditation of professional programs and the certification of education
qualifications are conducted under the auspices of the Canadian Architectural
Certification Board (CACB) in accordance with the above-mentioned documents.
Acceptable professional programs include the Bachelor of Architecture, the
Master of Architecture and the RAIC Syllabus. These programs typically require
between five and ten years of post-secondary education. The list of CACB Accredited
Professional Programs can be found in Appendix C.

 Examination Requirements

The Canadian Experience Standard has been approved by the provincial
associations. Although there is general agreement on the standard, the specific
requirements may vary from province to province. (Refer to Appendix B for
those requirements unique to a provincial association.) All provincial associations
require the equivalent of a minimum of 5600 hours of experience including
particular experience in specified areas of architectural practice.
 

 An Overview of the Process

The Internship in Architecture

	Intern Architect Program Guide
	Canadian Experience Record Book

This document has been endorsed by the following member associations
of the Committee of Canadian Architectural Councils (CCAC):

Architectural Institute of British Columbia
Alberta Association of Architects
Saskatchewan Association of Architects
Manitoba Association of Architects
Ontario Association of Architects
Ordre des architectes du Québec
Architects’ Association of New Brunswick
Nova Scotia Association of Architects
Architects Association of Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland Association of Architects
 

Inquiries should be directed to:
Provincial Associations (see information contained herein under Appendix D)
 

This document is a Guideline. In all cases the Act, Regulations and Bylaws in
each Provincial Association of Architects shall take precedence.